GUEST BOOK 2005

We invite you to add your thoughts, ideas and comments about this website, the book Kurdistan: In the Shadow of History, or the traveling exhibition. After eight years of touring, the exhibit was displayed for the last time in Paris at the Hotel de Ville during the summer of 2004. An excerpt of the original show was presented at the International Center for Photography in New York, September 19, 2008–January 4, 2009; and at the Zilkha Gallery at Wesleyan University, Fall 2008.

Please note: we reserve the right to edit comments for inappropriate and/or profane language.

To Aslihan,

Im not being or acting smart while telling my thoughts. Actually they are truth not my personal opinions. If you want to establish your own country, then go and do whatever u want in North Iraq or somewhere in the world. Not on Turkey"s lands. Note that Turkey is belongs to Turks. If you dont see yourself a Turk, please change your name and passport. Do not come Turkey...No Kurd killed because of speaking Kurdish language. And yes Turkey is established by a great leader Ataturk who is also appreciate by the World. Who is your leader?...

Submitted by: HistorianDate: December 21, 2005

Subject: Kurdistan???

there is no kurdistan, it does not exist!! it is imaginary, kurdish people never had their own county and they never will.

Submitted by: yavuzDate: December 14, 2005

Subject: ROJ TV FOR EVER

URGENT !

Please visit http://rojtv.blogspot.com

to give your support to ROJ TV

Submitted by: ROJE-mail: ROJ TVDate: December 06, 2005

Subject: SAVE ROJ TV

HI People!

In recent weeks Turkish government in implementing the orders of warmonger generals has started a slandering campaign with the help the press and tv outlets against Kurdish satellite TV ROJ TV. They pressurize the Danish government and ask them to revoke the license of ROJ TV, the only Kurdish TV in Europe. There is a campaign to face this mounting slandering.

Please visit http://rojtv.blogspot.com , express your dismay of this uncivilized manner of the Turkish government and join the letter campaign

I had the honor of visiting a small desert town named Soria in Kurdistan near the border of Syria. I had traveled there along with a friend who had brought clothing and supplies and food to the people there. I was overwhelmed with emotion when I saw how the people had almost nothing and how they had to live in such a harsh and dangerous environment. They have no conveniences of any kind and the only building materials they had were bricks made from mud and roofs made from straw. In the past year, three babies died from freezing to death. The mothers all had a special request for warm baby blankets. Also, the teenage boys desperately needed shoes. The Kurdish people are so beautiful and they have such a desire to make things better. I was so happy that I could go there and offer some help. I thought of American children who want for nothing and then in Kurdistan it is the complete opposite. I could see that many of them needed medical care as well: things that are simple for us, but almost impossible for them. I thought about when the children have toothaches or stomachaches and how they have no medicine for even just that. I also wondered if the teenage children would ever have the chance for an education or maybe the chance to move to a city. I definitely want to continue helping the Kurdish people as much as I can along with support from family and friends in America. Even though the people from Soria have come out of the horrible genocide of Saddam, they still have hope in their hearts and such beautiful smiles on their faces. I was honored and blessed to have met the people from Soria and I look forward to visiting with them again.

I would like to learn more about the history of Kurdistan, particularly since the end of World War I.

Submitted by: HovasE-mail: hovas@earthlink.netDate: November 04, 2005

Subject: To historian

To HISTORIAN

The reason why i YELL that am a kurd is because people seem to be deaf when it comes to us!!!

And i understand what your saying!

YOU THINK THAT YOUR SOO SMART DONT YOU?

OR IF NOT, THEN YOU MUST THINK THAT IM STUPID BEFORE YOU EVEN KNOW ME OR TAKE A GOOD MINITE TO ACTUALLY READ WHAT I AM REALLY SAYING!

That doesnt make you much of a historian now does it?

People in south America- for e.g mexicans, brazilians and so on... say that they are American. hey say that they are american because at the end of the day there is a place calld mexico and brazil and they have basic human rights

however the kurds get killed if they speak in kurdish, they dont have basic human rights and they are not recognised for who they are.

the mexicans dont feel bothered about saying they are american because at the end of the da they are recognised for their music, food, suger and so on.

Now why would kurds kurds want to say that they are turks when 1 THEY ARE NOT, 2 they are refusd basic human rghts and 2 only recognised for bad things for eg as separatist and terrorists!

we have been robbed of our country but the south americans arent are they, they own parts of south america!

How can kurds be reffered to as turks when kurds are the ones with the real history?? Dont forget the turks in turkey were FOUNDED BY A MAN called mustafa kemal attaturk

PLEASE DNT ACT TOO SMART NXT TIME THANK YOU VERY MUCH TAKE CARE AND GET BK IF U WANT TO JUGE OR MAKE ANY OTHER COMMENTS ABOUT ME OR MY KURDISHNESS LOL :-)

same thing happend to me i born in istanbul...we are kurdish!!we have been changed so many houses to get rid from trouble

I didint know very well turkish because my mum and my father always spoke me in kurdish (gurmanji) so when I go to school the teachers were slaping and shouting to me because I didint know the language and I didnt know the ATATURKS LIFE....

AND LASTLY WE MOVED TO SCOTLAND IN HERE WE DONT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS THE GOVERNMENT LOOKING AFTER US WHICH MAKES US HAPPPY!!

Would it not be a great thing for the United Nations, spurred and encouraged by America and Israel, to persuade Turkey, Russia, Iraq, Iran, and Syria to cede that portion of their territory occupied by Kurds, so as to create the New Kurdistan.

In the new millenium is it not possible for these people to have their own "homeland", and conduct their own affairs in unity and in peace?

kurdish leaders can make at least Northern Iraq independent. they can do it by depending on themselves and not other countries to help them. No one cares if kurdish people get a country they just do what is good for their countries(if they have to help kurdish people today for their country they will do it and if tomorrow they have to spill kurdish blood they will) so just depend on kurdish leaders should think about what is best to do to get a kurdish country called Kurdistan and not what to do to survive, because chances come and go they dont stay forever and now is the chance to get northern Iraq. THEY ARE WRONG FOR WAITING TO GET A FEDERAL IRAQ>.

by the way i know i have an arab name, but i am kurdish and both of my parents are kurdish.

i know my thoughts might not be important to you but i just wanted to say that the kurds have been brave and now we will stand strong and will not give up kirkuk

Submitted by: alanE-mail: alanrashid4@msn.comDate: September 10, 2005

Subject: Kurds

My boyfriend, who is a us army officer, will soon be in Kurdistan assisting with the efforts there. I am interested in the Kurdish people and how they live, and how they survive as such a shut off group of people. I would love to have a Kurdish penpal.....I know the languge barrier would be tough....but I would try it. Any info about the Kurds would be good to me.

The word of Turk is not represents a nation.The word of Turk is a common name of 12 tribes who were living in Central Asia from the 1th century.So there is no Turk named tribe or nation.

In our century the word of Turk is using to identify the citizens of Turkey.Its like USA.Who lives in USA call themselves American even he is chinese,mexican,indian,armenian,...etc. Its same for Turkey. All the armenians,jewish,kurds,moslems,azeri,...etc are basicly called Turk.

So you dont need to yell that i am kurd.While making your comments think twice instead of yelling.

The historian

Submitted by: historianDate: August 08, 2005

Subject: made up stories

how can you prove the authenticity of the story and the picture? I think some of them might be entirely made up.

there are examples of this.

Submitted by: C.B.Date: August 01, 2005

Subject: extremely bored

salahadin, was he a kurd, does not appear so, well did he do anything for Kurds?

but one thing for sure he was not an Arab, not after seeing Saddam being captured

Submitted by: MedesDate: July 05, 2005

Subject: DIALOGUE

WHY ?

Call it luck of logic or low degree of common sense and

inspite all of that try to engage people like Ertugal Gazi in a kind of dialogue, you may not reach a common ground but at least he may be encouraged to think more when he takes up the question of otherness.

Now the logic is very simple. There are a group of human beings with a sense of oneness based on political awareness and dynamic of historical development.They call themselves Kurds, they want to be recognised as such. They want to live in peace in part of their territory having the right of self expression and right to have a free and decent life.

Why another creature who considers her/himself a human being should oppose those rights based on prejudice and hatred ?

The sooner this recognition of kurdish rights in Turkey is

carried out the better, for as long as it is confronted by force and terror it will not end, on the contrary it will get a new momentum.

Turgul you may be obssesed by the ideas of Ataturk. Surely you want others to respect your position. why you do not show this respect for others who expect the same respect for their symbol of freedom Abdulla Ocalan.

I think if we start a conversation freed from prejudice and hatred we have gained a lot to go further towards a common ground...

Submitted by: Free Ocalan NOWDate: July 04, 2005

please bring to light that kingdoms in all parts of the earth were achieved through killing and that the lands that are now under rule of a power (kingdom) were achieved through War (killing and Conquest) and if we want to have a true United nations (not one that acknoweleges only those who have money) all people must respect the soverenty of nations in their own homelands. We have committed many crimes against humanity in our past but for the future to be a place where we want our children to be we have a duty to educate the world, on the true charactor of a human not a beast.

Date: July 03, 2005

Subject: Wonderful Site

Amazing site. Found you via StumbleUpon. Many of these narratives deserve a wide audience. One option: www.internationalistmag.com , for students and recent graduates of University.

To all those of you who walk around saying turks are bad, they have killed us, blah blah blah. SHUT UP, think for a minute, from the time of the original turkey (ottoman empire) to the present, they have not opposed kurds living in turkey like brothers. At current you think of any background and religion and they live in turkey. Its when kurdish hardliners INVADE the borders and kill the soliders that they hit back.

Alexander the great lost his lands, the romans lost theirs, turkey lost theirs. OPEN YOUR EYES, one day we will all stand in front of god and answer for ourselves. Those people killing innocent people in the name of god, their natonal interests will all pay the ultimate price.

Submitted by: IbrahimDate: June 30, 2005

Subject: good site

Hello,

I wanted to tell you all how great this site is...I really enjoy coming here and reading everyones comments. Keep up the great work. I was wondering why it took so long for my comments to be posted on this site. Bye

NOTE FROM THE WEBMASTER...WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING SOME DIFFICULTIES WITH A NEW SERVER WHICH CAUSED A DELAYS....SORRY...

Submitted by: Kurds RuleDate: June 22, 2005

Subject: ? am kurdish and want freedom

h? to everyone . how are you? ? am a kurd in turkey and ? want freedom. ? am working in antalya in any hotel. they allways play in turkish but no kurdish. ? am kurd any many stuffs in hotels are kurdish . they also want their independence. we dont know what to do and we want your support. they dont like kurdish. 30.000.000 almost in turkey but nobody knows that. many of them afraid to say ? am kurd. ? want kurdish television, ? want language, ? want kurdish music, ? want to be known by everyone in the world, ? dont want to be under authority of turkish.they never loved us and never will love.

please help us. ? love you all.already thanksss

s¸ew bas¸s¸

Submitted by: hewale kurdDate: June 10, 2005

Subject: get out

where are the kurdistan?? don't know. because there isn't kurdistan in turkey and all of the world.

Submitted by: türkerE-mail: turker@hotmail.comDate: June 06, 2005

i`ve seen your web site and i dont agree with you there is no nation like kurds grow with violence.do you know thats mean you killen rougly 30000 people only in anatolia...

i am a kind o f hacker and if you dont change your map abaut dream state kurdistan within 2 days i`ll destroy you and i`will show some photos about your historical violence in eastern anatolia.

we can argue on that issue

good luck.

Date: June 05, 2005

Subject: PREJUDICE

I m sorry to say that I saw only prejudice ON THIS SITE. I know many good kurdish people besides Turkish one. If you become full of anger and hate, you do not have the right of seeking human rights for yourself. I saw several bad threats to Turks, Kurds or any poor people in many Countries.And I DID NOT THINK THEY ALL ARE BAD PEOPLE.

I only wanted to say (if you can show this message on your website)if an English,an American or a Dutch want to help for human rights, they should first start from their own counry for Scottish and Irish besides south AfricaNS, for native Americans and for ex slaves of them. And all European must explain how they gained their wealthy.

Best Regards,

E-mail: hidayetko@yahoo.comDate: June 05, 2005

Subject: comments

I LOVE THIS VERY PAGE. IT LOOKS REALLY NICE AND VERY MUCH COURAGEOUS. KEEP UP THE WONDERFUL GOOD WORK. THANKS ASABA OWERRI

Thanks for our friend from diffrent countries and nationalities !!! I was very pleased, when I found this web page, because I didn't know what does the people from Europe and USA think about Kurds and Kurdistan...

Now I can see that we are not alone in spite of the discrimination of Arabs and Turks ...

We won't ever give up ...

Submitted by: a kurd from RussiaDate: June 01, 2005

Subject: Saladin?

You might want to put something up here about saladin. He's the only kurdish guy I ever heard about and based on his research I found your site.

Submitted by: Ishaq SyedDate: May 29, 2005

i think kurdistan will remain as a fantazy forever. They will remain everywhere as an ethnik group of people. If history could be brought back again, so many countries would claim them back.

Date: May 19, 2005

Subject: LISTEN BROTHERS AND SISTERS

GO ON TO THIS SITE PLEASE:

WWW.APOCULAR-PKK.MOONFRUIT.COM

BASICALLY IT'S ABOUT KURDISH PEOPLE HOWEVER THERE ARE LOADS OF TURKS SAYING THAT KURDS ARE BAD PEOPLE AND THAT WE BEG FOR THEIR COUNTRY.

THIS WILL ANNOY YOU AS IT HAS ANNOYED ME AND I JUST THINK THAT EVERY KURD HAS A RIGHT TO HAVE A SAY IN WHAT IS GOING ON. IF YOU DO GO ON IT PLEASE LET ME KNOW BY LEAVING A MESSAGE ON akaKURDISTAN THANK YOU...

Submitted by: KURDISH GIRLDate: May 10, 2005

to Sohrab Dorisiro;

I see that you-and all the kurds right here-try to make literature.Firstly,none of the real Turks claim that we're the same.NONE OF THE NATIONS ON EARTH CAN BE SAME LIKE TURKS.Don't take that as a praising and boasting.I just say we are different.And I'm really proud of being different.And also some kurds envy to be a Turk,so they hide their fact of being a kurd.I mean,they pretend.And you pretend,and Europeans pretend,and Americans pretend.This list goes for longer but everyone knows them;so there's no need to write the ones who help you to success your terror ideas.Anyway,we are not the ones who pretend,you gotta notice it(and you'll do).These lands are ours.If you had enough courage,you would fight like real men as my Ancestors did.But you chose the way of treachery and cowardice.So,don't tell me a story.We've written history.And history will write what punishment we'll give you....

The US government may have gone to war for oil or terror or something. The US people have gone to war to liberate other people. Who in Iraq needed liberation more than the Kurds?

My friend, a US soldier, recently returned from active duty. He had only good things to say about the Kurds.

Most Americans don't know anything about Kurds. Our movies and literature doesn't mention Kurds, because the authors themselves probably have never heard of Kurdistan. Why not convince some author or director to make works that focus on Kurdish culture? Compare to Japan. Before that war, people in America didn't know anything about Japan. Now Japanese culture is in our media, and many people love Japan. This can be done with Kurdish culture too, if you will show us.

Submitted by: AmericanDate: May 10, 2005

Subject: Thank you.

My good Kurdish friends,

First of all, congratulations to all those who have been working to build this website. It is indeed useful and precious. Keep up the valuable work! History will thank you!

Be sure, you brave Kurdish people, that you are finally succeeding in your (past, present and future) battle. As long as your voice is carried and understood throughout the world, all the efforts are worthwhile. Here in Portugal and in Europe, in America, Asia, Africa. Just be patient and peaceful; preserve your beautiful language and culture, no matter what. As a wise Kurdish girl said: "Life isn't only today, there will always be another day." Soon you will have a home of your own, where you can lay down, take a rest and remember all your ancestors.

Honestly, I thank you. For who you were and for who you still are. Thank you for the example of courage, determination and dignity. As for the future, strive for peace and continue digging deep in the memory of Mankind.

God bless you!

Submitted by: From Portugal, with respect.Date: May 05, 2005

Subject: HEY ASLIHAN...

ASLIHAN CAKIR- I UNDERSTAND EXACTLY HOW YOU FEEL. I HAVE BEEN CALLED ARAB MANY TIMES, WHEN TRYING TO EXPLAIN WHERE I AM FROM. I AM FROM SLEMANY AND WHEN SOMEONE ASKS ME WHERE I WAS BORN, WHEN I TELL THEM KURDISTAN, THEY ASK YOU OH SO WHERE IS THAT COUNTRY LOCATED AND WHEN I TELL THEM IRAQ, THEY TELL ME SO WHY DO YOU MAKE IT SO CONFUSING, YOU'RE AN ARAB. NO I AM NOT AN ARAB. I TRY TO USE SOUTH OF TURKEY AND THEY SAY AHA YOU'RE A TURK. NO I AM NEITHER I AM A KURD!!! YOU SHOULDNT GET MAD WHEN PEOPLE SAY THAT. SOME PEOPLE ARE JUST IGNORANT OR THEY REALLY HAVE NO IDEA WHERE KURDISTAN IS AND THEY MIGHT BE INTERESTED. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? I AM NOT SURE IF I HAVE EXPLAINED IT CLEARLY ENOUGH. I AM VERY PROUD TO KNOW THERE ARE KURDISH PEOPLE LIKE YOU OUT THERE. I KNOW MANY KURDS IN TURKEY WHO ARE AFRAID TO SAY THEY ARE KURDS. I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY, BUT EVEN WHEN THEY COME TO THE UNITED STATES, THEY STILL SHOW OFF WITH THE TURKISH LANGUAGE. BY THE WAY IN TURKEY, DO MAHSUN KIRMIZIGUL AND IBRAHIM TATLISES SAY THEY ARE KURDS? I AM REALLY INTERESTED IN THEM BUT I CAN'T FIND ANY WEBSITES IN ENGLISH OR KURDISH. BY THE WAY I AM ALSO A GIRL. OH AND I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU. TURKS ARE IN MAJOR DENIAL. THEY THINK KURDS DONT ACTUALLY EXIST, WHEN THE BIGGEST KURD POPULATION IS IN TURKEY. DONT WORRY ONE DAY ALL OF OUR "PRECIOUS NEIGHBORS" WILL GET THEIR SHARE OF DEATH AND BETRAYAL. TURKS, ARABS AND PERSIANS.

I just firstly want to let my kurdish brothers and sisters know that i love them. Secondly, I just want everyone, especially turks to know that the kurdish language is one of the oldest most precious language around. The turkish language is an language that is mixed up, it has a bit of english, arabic, french and what ever. I believe this is due to them not having a brain. There is 5 different kurdish languages spoken today. no matter what we have been through we have always said that we are kurds (we don't ever deny who we are) and that we are proud of our language and heritage. I have faced soooo much hardship and also my family but I have always stood up for who I am even though I am only 15. I have shutted up many grown up men with the way I speak about Kurds. If it wasn't for my father than I wouldnt know this today. My father is a kurdish politican and he has been in politics for over 20 years. He was not allowed to see his family for 20 years because he wasn't allowed to go to Turkey. My dad was seperated from us for 5 years and was always going in and out of prison for being a kurd.

I want to say a BIG THANK YOU TO BAQURBANY KURDBM for the comment he made that is exactly how i feel. The turks say get out of our country when in actual fact that country belongs to us!!!! but i don't blame them, they don't even know their history so how can they know ours????

I also want everyone to know that the turks used islam to their advantage, ... they are trying to ban our language, take away our land and kill us!! IS THIS WHAT A MUSLIM MUST DO?? In GODS eyes we are all equal, so why do the Turks act as if they own everything??

I am a kurdish girl that grew up in Turkey, I can speak Kurdish as good as I can speak Turkish. What is bothering me is that when I speak Kurdish everyone gets so shocked! So what if i know how to speak Kurdish? Why should anyone be shocked? It is my mother tongue. Secondly I would really appreciate it if Kurdish business men stop concentrating on making money and instead let everyone know what kurdish is and the major difference we have between turks. When I tell people that I am Kurdish they say What's the difference your Turkish too! NO I AM NOT!!! I AM VERY DIFFERENT TO TURKS. I HATE IT WHEN THEY SAY THAT. CAN YOU MEN SPEND MORE TIME TRYING TO HELP OTHERS UNDERSTAND WHAT BEING KURDISH IS AND THAT WE DO HAVE A COUNTRY BUT THAT THE TURKS INVADED. THANK YOU ASLIHAN CAKIR

OH MY GOD! YESTERDAY (04/27/05) I SAW THE SON OF OUR BELOVED MAM JALAL. ( PRESIDENT OF IRAQ). I SAW QUBAD TALABANI! I WAS SO EXCITED AND HE TOLD US ABOUT HOW KURDISTAN IS GETTING BETTER AT EVERYTHING AND THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE EVERYTHING GREAT IN KURDISTAN. YESTERDAY WAS ONE OF THE BEST DAYS OF MY LIFE. I CAN ASSURE ALL THE KURDS THAT WE ARE INDEED IN GOOD HANDS.

I LOVE KURDS AND KURDISTAN.

BIJI KURD U KURDISTAN

Submitted by: KURDISTAN LOVERE-mail: KURDDate: April 28, 2005

Subject: Modern Day

Dear all,

I'd like to firstly give recognition to this website as being very formative about kurdish people around the world. However i really believe that certain members of the kurdish community still continue to use propagandist jargon to try and portray a somewhat false image of kurds today. Yes it is quite factual that kurds today appear to be homeless as they don't have a designated area on the map, but it is somewhat ludicrous to blame and put forward the neighbouring countries as tyrants because the requested land is not given to them. What country would allow there land to be taken illegally, the slaughter of there existing people in that area for a geographical map that existed thousands of years ago. The certain members of the kurdish community i'm talking about is the PKK, yes this terrorist kurdish organisation that has swept terror over turkey for 35 years as a result of turkey not surrenderring to there rebel requests. Turkey doesn't have a problem with kurds in fact they live amounst us everywhere including the most western city of istanbul, There is also no oppression of kurdish tradition and culture as many kurdish people now stand as very famous figures in television amd media, speaking and creating music in there own native tongue that is broadcasted to the whole of turkey.The problem is the PKK kurdish organisation and its supporters that are not happy living as a whole in a peaceful islamic republic, they insist that they need to have a place and call it kurdistan. Well i hate to disapoint belivers of this, i dont think the day will ever come when 4 countries gve up their land to satisfy terrorists that use there own people as a sympathy point to get what they want. So give up the idea and allow your own people to live freely without filling there head with hatred. Finally we fully accept the kurdish history and culture but in the past several areas of the world was occupied by different countries/cultures and empires, this doesn't mean these borders still exist, turkey thought many wars to gain its borders today we can not give them up in modern day for what existed thousands of years ago, if this would be the case then every nation should get ready to pack up and leave !!!!!

I saw many Kurdish Site, but I have not yet found so a beautiful, influential and lovable Site. I send you thousand greetings from Exile to Exile.. It is not possible to to describe your work. After I saw the Items I remembered my Kurdentum.

WHAT BETRAYAL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?! YOU THINK TURKS ARE TRYING TO HELP KURDS?! SOMEBODY MUST HAVE BULLSHIT YOU. IF TURKEY WAS TRYING TO HELP KURDS THEY WOULDNT PUT POISIN IN THE BREAD WHICH THEY GAVE TO KURDS DURING THE WAR WITH IRAQ AND IRAN, "WHILE THEY CROSSED THE BORDER"!!! DO YOU ACTUALLY THINK THAT TURKS WANT TO PROTECT KURDS? ARE YOU KIDDING YOURSELF? I MEAN IS THAT A JOKE?! IF TURKS WANTED TO PROTECT KURDS THEY WOULD LET THEM SPEAK KURDISH IN TURKEY. THEY WOULD LET THEM LEARN ABOUT THEIR KURDISH ANCESTORS. THEY WOULDNT BE AFRAID TO STAND UP FOR THEMSELVES. TURKS DONT HAVE ANY LAND! THEY WERE JUST HOMELESS AND THEY CAME TO OUR COUNTRY FOR SHELTER. THE SHELTER THEY NOW CALL TURKEY. EVERYBODY KNOWS TURKS TRIED TO GET ANYTHING THEY COULD GET THEIR HANDS ON. THEY WENT TO YUGOSLAVIA IN THE NAME OF RELIGION AND THEY KILLED MANY SERBIANS AND CROATIANS. YOU DONT HAVE TO BELIEVE ANYTHING I SAY BUT LET ME TELL YOU ONE THING THE TRUTH ALWAYS REVEALS ITSELF. THEN TURKS WILL COME CRAWLING AND THEY WILL ONCE AGAIN ASK FOR OUR HELP. ONE PESHMARGA = 1000 TURKS. DO THE MATH...

BY THE WAY WHAT THE HELL IS A YORUK? NO BODY IS TRYING TO BREAK "YOUR" COUNTRY. ALL WE ASK IS THAT YOU TREAT US WITH RESPECT IN OUR COUNTRY. ONCE AGAIN, TURKS AND KURDS ARE NOT ONE NATION. WE ARE VERY DIFFERENT FROM EACHOTHER. ACTUALLY ALYKHAN WHAT YOU WROTE IS EXACTLY WHAT A KURDISH HATER WOULD WRITE. THE REASON AMERICANS WERE LET INSIDE OUR COUNTRY WAS TO SAVE US FROM OUR SO CALLED FRIENDS AND SADDAM HUSSEIN. TELL ME SOMETHING, HOW THE HELL IS THAT CONSIDERED BETRAYAL? YOU DONT EVEN KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. SAD! WE ARE ALL MUSLIMS AND IT WOULD BE NICE TO LIVE PEACEFULLY BUT IF THE BASTARDS AROUND DONT LET, THEN WHAT IS THERE LEFT TO DO BUT FUCK THEM ALL?

Submitted by: Baqurbany KurdbmDate: April 15, 2005

hi to you all its nice to share personal opinions here i am turkish origin but i am a YORUK that doesnt mean i hate Turkey or Turkish people the matter of fact i love TURKEY an the TURKISH people...As a nation we grew up together in Turkey and we will protect our country from anonymous powers or countries who is trying to break us.. i heard a lot of different stories from KURDS which i beleive is betrayel.. during the irak and iran war Turkey opened the borders to protect kurds but you guys after different dreams,independent KURDISTAN well sorry you may have it somewhere but in Turkey no chance, as a yoruk i give my life away against the powers who is trying to break my country, but saying that i am not disliking KURDS either just i am remarking the facts here..kurds have to learn to live together as we are one whole nation or they have to look for a new land where they can feel they are the owners but again which country would tolerate that.. answer is no country....

lets talk a bit now what is going on iraq..you kurds betrayed your own people.. you let american or english army inside your country for what... i have watched a documentary which was broadcasted in uk american soldiers and english soldiers was treating your sisters and brothers like piece of rubbish.. to watch this wasnt very pleasent for me.. because i am muslim and i hate to see this things happening to my muslim brothers or sister.. dont you think woulnt be better for Kurds and Turks to live together as a family and and fight with foreign powers which may trying to disturb the peace we have.. hope this wont upset anyone.. if did sorry thats how i felt after reading some of your comments here.. thanks for reading hope our lands stay long years in a peace and we try to be one nation like ottomans

Submitted by: alykhanDate: April 13, 2005

I like kurdish people.I would like to know more about village, name of gospinar(near to marash or afshin). thank you.

Submitted by: elenaE-mail: bulves2004@yahoo.co.ukDate: April 11, 2005

Subject: DO NOT TRY TO DECEIVE US AGAIN

you know what MISTER MARWAN KHALIL

we were muslim and i think now it is time to not care about muslim and islam coz nobody else cares ,and we deceived by islam, no not islam kurdistan first then islam coz there are no muslim around kurdistan, if they are muslim they don't steal our oil they don't steal our land, what muslim ? where ? if they are muslim they let our people read about their fathers and grandfathers and let us study our history and speak our language

you won't be able to deceive us by islam any more ! that is right this is god's land but god gave us permision to live on it , but the thieves won't let us live on our own land, i hope one day they realize that they are stealing somebody else's land and oil and quit stealing it

Submitted by: anti mister marwan's ideaDate: April 10, 2005

Subject: crazy dreams .wake up turks

you know what guys ?

the turks can not do anything about kirkuk, kirkuk is a kurdish city ... and turkish goverment as well , if kirkuk is a turk city where are all of those turks in kirkuk ? i live in kirkuk and there is a tiny number of ...turkmen and a great number of kurds , kirkuk is a kurdish city and it will be, who is the governer of kirkuk ? ... what can you do about kirkuk ? when saddam came into power first he agreed to give kurds autonomy regime or self-governing regime ,why the kurds didn't want it ? becoz saddam was trying to not give kirkuk to the kurds !!! but as you know we didn't agreed on that and we sacrified almost 200,000 people after that it was all for kirkuk and xanaqin , we never let our heart alone kirkuk is our heart kurds can not survive without kirkuk ,and the ... turks can not live with kirkuk ,we don't let you... take kirkuk over ,even you are stronger but remember that you are NOT braver than our PESHMARGAS we die for kirkuk as we did , and world won't let you take a part of iraq over.

THIS SITE IS A GREAT GREAT GREAT GREAT SITE ,I LOVE IT ,GOOD JOB ,GOOD JOB ,GOD BLESS YOU WHO CREATED IT , I APPRECIATE UR EFFECTS TO CREATE A GREAT SITE LIKE THIS I HOPE YOU MAKE THIS SITE GREATER .

THANK YOU VERY MUCH

FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE

Submitted by: ALANDE-mail: aland_004@yahoo.comDate: April 10, 2005

Subject: NEW PRESIDENT

MAM JALAL IS PRESIDENT!!! I AM SO HAPPY FOR THE KURDS!!! FROM NOW ON THINGS ARE GOING TO GO OUR WAY!!!

Submitted by: KURDISH LOVERDate: April 08, 2005

Subject: Har Ba Hawaz

Thank god (JALAL TALABANI) became the president of iraq, ha ha to all you haters. what else is there to do, other then take our country back to ourself. and the turks and arabs or who ever wants to try and stop us can and won't do anything about it ha. what now? please if anybody whats to discuss anything with me email me. thank you

Submitted by: Xula PezaE-mail: xula05@gmail.comDate: April 08, 2005

i love this site i mean this is a site that really sees the kurdish people as one and not as people over a few countries i really love it

Damn! Marwan what you wrote is the truth revealed. You can never be more correct! It seems like you took my ideas. We are all muslims and the kafir countries are turning the world against muslims. The sad part is that right now muslims are turning against each other too. Why are we all fighting for gods land? We all lived here as brothers and sisters, why can't we continue living that way? We are not going to be here for much longer. Judgement day will come! If you hate a culture than you are hating Allah's wonderful creations. Do not be threatened by a certain country because Allah will ask you, why?! Did I not make you all equally? We are all equal even if we try to segregate ourselves from eachother. We are all related to Adam and Eve. This will all be regreted one day. If you are muslim and you come on this website to criticize a certain nation, you might as well call yourself a kafir. (one who doesn't believe in Allah (god))

Submitted by: MuslimDate: April 01, 2005

Subject: dReAm

What is our dream?! What is the dream that the Turkish republic won't let come true?! As far as I know Turks are the only ones dreaming! You come on this website and all you talk about is dream, in case you haven't noticed it is now a reality for Kurds and a dream for Turks. The Turks are the only ones who are dreaming to get their hands on Kerkuk. That is the dream that won't come true! Have you not yet realized it?!

Submitted by: KuRdDate: April 01, 2005

Subject: The Truth Hurts!

I am confused! So let me get this straight, Turks believe that Kurds want to take Kerkuk? This is all a dream, Turks need to wake up and smell the coffee because its obvious that Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran know damn well that Kerkuk belongs to Kurds. You think that Kurds want to take what is not rightfully theirs? No! I think there is a bit of a confusion, its the exact opposite Turks are the only ones who want to take everything, I have a bit of news for you, IN YOUR DREAMS!Turks you're not the only smart ones, we also know why America is in our country, it's only for our oil. I am pretty sure that America is not there to "change" Iraq for the better.

Every country wants to ruin Kurdistan. Like kurds say "Dinya har amro nya rozhan rozhe la dwaya". It means life isn't only today, there will always be another day. We will all see what will happen to Kurdistan. The truth will reveal itself in due course. That, I promise! Do you think that Kurds just popped out of thin air? We didn't come up with this language in a 100 years, it has always been there.Turks came from Tatar and Maghol. I am sorry that denial is your only way out!

Hey I was wondering, who is this kurdish guy you are talking to? I mean do you go on Kurdish chats? If so which one? It's nice of you to be so interested in Kurds. Our world needs more people like you. :-)

It was nice talking on this site. I hope to come back and next time I hope there isn't any other nonsense written.

Submitted by: Kurdish GirlDate: April 01, 2005

What l am thinking is u are living in a very big dream land!Do u think Turkish Public will let ur dreams come true?Try it, then u will see!

" Do you think that when Americans and their supporters leave (Iraq AG), they will appoint a watchman at you door? Do not forget that Kirkuk has historically belonged to Turks and it was lost because of back stabbing actions of yours during the liberation war conducted by the Turkish Army.

You are still claiming that we founded the Republic together, the Turkish army fought both against you and against external enemies. You did not support the foundation of the Republic, on the contrary you set obstacles against it.

What was your population at that time any way? 300.000. If we founded it (Republic AG) together, let's count the number of martyrs on the base of provinces. Van: 36, Mus:8, Mardin:7, Kars:2,Adiyaman,12,Bitlis:63,Bingöl:8,Siirt:40, Diyarbakir:49 and do not forget, 90 percent of (the population AG) of these provinces was Turkish.

What kind of partnership are you still talking about? Instead of brain washing the gullible Europeans, you better educate yourself, educate yourself; not with the culture of snatch and run, but with the culture of of humans, not with the culture of harassment, but with the devotion to the country.

Be aware(and AG) otherwise do not forget that the history of Turkish people goes further back than the history of Saddam. I do not know, if I have made it clear for you !!!"

Date: March 30, 2005

I loved the excerpt and will look for the book.

I am currently having an online romance with a Kurdish man and am looking at understanding him better.

Submitted by: hpygrl73@yahoo.comDate: March 28, 2005

Subject: Susan Meiselas book on Kurds

I am a Turk living in Turkey. The first time I saw the book of Susan Meiselas and the content of it was when I was visiting the United States back in 2002. That same year, I had decided to tour the eastern part of Turkey and to see the Kurdish people. What I can say is that the book impressed me very much and that the work acomplished by Susan Meiselas is a wonderful hommage to a majestic people that truly deserve recognition.

Submitted by: murat ercanDate: March 25, 2005

Subject: the future?

I understand the the Kurds have a good representation in the new government forming in Iraq. My question is, if the Kurds gain autonomy over their land and people, will they participate in the economy and commerce with the rest of Iraq?

I would like to see on this site how the political and social relationship with the rest of Iraq progresses.

I realize this is all new but I have a strong interest in this part of the world, because of my ancestors, and I don't trust our news people to give us good information.

Your site gives us an opportunity to hear directly from the Kurdish people. Thank You.

Submitted by: Peter DecoudDate: March 19, 2005

Subject: ...The Little Boy of Istanbul

I have a story. It's about a little Kurdish boy in Istanbul. It is called "In Search of the Little Boy of Istanbul". The whole story is at this website address:

http://www.imagineistanbul.com

There are photographs. I would contribute to your website, but do you have any ideas how I could add this story (after you see the website, you could suggest some ways perhaps.

This story took place in 2003, 2004 and will continue. He is the little boy that introduced me to the Kurdish people. He did not know that he did this, he is so young.

Submitted by: Tanya RobbE-mail: tkrobb@3web.netDate: March 17, 2005

Subject: KURDISTAN OIL DEVELOPMENT

KURDISTAN OIL DEVELOPMENT

http://www.btinternet.com/~kurd.oil

TE L: 0044 208 378 0928 Fax : 0044 208 378 0928

s.rostam@ntlworld.com

Sardar Pishdare

INTRODUCTION

This proposal concerns the rational and efficient, near-term development of up to 1 Million barrels/day of expanded, made over or new oil production capacity within a period not exceeding 6 months from the foundation of an oil development, production and transportation entity in Kurdistan.

The key elements of this proposal feature the creation, under international guarantee, of a 400-kms Free Zone, extending eastwards from the Syrian-Lebanese border on Mediterranean Sea, and extending to the North, bounded by the currently inactive DORTYOL pipeline and rail line (built and owned by French interests) up to Iraqi Border.

Further to this proposal, a concessionary and operating company will be founded, the Kurdistan Oil France Company (KOF), incorporating Kurdish and French interests on a 50/50 basis, together with allthose necessary, adequate and sufficienct security provisions and structures in the areas concerned by this proposal.

OIL RESERVES AND KURDISTAN

Greater Kurdistan covers a large area of territory currently occupied and/or claimed by Syria, Turkey, Iraq and Iran. Within the effective area of Greater Kurdistan, for example as recognized by the Treaty of Sevres, currently known, proven, inferred and likely oil reserves (and both associated and 'stranded' gas reserves) are very large. Further, and prticularly concerning the area made up by the aforesaid Free Zone, in majority lying in Syrian occupied territory, he development of oil production capacities has been deliberately held at a low level.

Numerous smaller and medium-sized oil fields, generally capable of production volumes in the region of 500  3000 barrels/day, each, can be quickly developed and brought into reliable, long-term operation. Other and numerous oil fields, currently producing small volumes and relying on outdated and inadequate or inefficient installations, equipment and management, can be quickly made over, renovated or upgraded to yield much more production, on a reliable and long-term basis.

Overall, it is fully possible on technical grounds to obtain the stated objective, of 1 Mbd of new or expanded production within 6 months following the foundation of the aforesaid KOF entity, of course with adequate and effective international guarantees, and local security, to be provided with majority Kurdish participation.

FOUNDATION OF KOF

The foundation of an internationally reognised operating entity is the first step towardsrelaising the goals of this proposal. KOF, after discussion, gegotiation and appraisal of all interests by all partners, may initially be given the objective of developing and securing reliable oil production capacity, and the transport of oil to the Mediterranean Sea, within Kurdish Iraq.

This will concern the eastern extremity of the proposed Free Zone.

Several advantages may accrue to a programme featuring this element, that is initial oil development, etc, in Kurdish Iraq:

1. Kurdish influence and political control in Kurdish Iraq is now an established an recognized fact.

2. Current oil field operation, and especially the transport of oil, is unsure and inefficient, whether concerning crude or refined products.

3. Establishment of Kurdish control, with provision of adequate and effective security along the DORTYOL line and rail line, through the construction of fortified settlements, will ensure reliable transportation of oil to the Mediterranean Sea.

PROGRAMMING

It is first necessary to found an international oil concern of a concessionary nature, charged with the development, upgrading, and transportation of Kurdish oil. With French partnership, this would be achieved through founding an entity such as KOF. In the case of other partnering interests, for example US, British or Indian interests expressing interest and wishing to participate in the foundation of an operating entity, the name of the entity will be modified, to become KO Corporation. In all cases, capital ownership and management responsibility will be on a 50/50 basis, Kurdish and International interests.

Following creation of the operating entity, programming will feature the simultaneous development or provision of

1. Secure settlements and security facilities along the DORTYOL line and rail line

2. Oil development, upgrade, renovation and make overall

3. Construction and supply of all installation and ancillary equipment, as required.

Through detailed planning and programming, all the above may be assured within a timeframe not exceeding 6 months, agfter creation of the KOF or KOC, with French or other international partners

FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC ASPECTS

This proposal concerns the creation of an oil (and associated gas) producing entity with an initial objective of attaining 1 Mbd of oil production capacity within 6 months from the incorporation of a Kurdish-International operating entity, with adequate and full security in the areas concerned by this proposal, notably with regard to transportationfacilities and installations.

At current prices, the turnover value represented by new or increased oil production of 1 Mbd is approximately 18 000 Million US dollars/year. Investment and security provisions may be esimated provisionally at approximately 3  4.5 Bn US dollars, with relatively low recurring expenses, costs and charges.

It is said that you said,"Turks have forgotten [the good things] that we have done and they are acting ungratefully". What did

we forget Uncle Sam?

Did we forget that you are the only country who did not sign the Lausanne treaty, the founding treaty of our State? Did we forget that you are the leading country among those who have been producing scenarios for the realization of the Sevres?

You mean that we forgot your Marshall Plan, starting with milk powder and fish oil donations and then transformed into unconditional loans and [by using them] you have cornered our economy and we are still not completing the debt service and interest left from these loans?

What did we not forget, that you brought to power the rented men of yours [puppets, AG] who were trained at your spy schools, each time, with the support of your [local, AG] chambers [a reference to the free mason branch in Turkey where ex-prime minister and president Suleyman Demirel are said to be a member of, AG], associations and tariqas and the media triggers. [referring to the journalist that is considered to be the defender of the US interests

in Turkish media, AG]. And after squeezing them, you took another one of them out of your hat and never have left us to ourselves, for half a century.

[Did we forget that?] Very interestingly, those satellite governments of yours, named it as a betrayal to the [country] while the opposition who came to power extended the duration of the "Poised Hammer" [British and US air forces that were deployed inTurkey and provided security for the no-fly zone north of the 36th parallel in Iraq, which protected Kurds from the attacks of Saddam Hussein, before the American invasion started in 2003, AG]. The duration of "Poised Hammer" was for a limited time period and every 3-6 months, the Turkish parliament had to vote for the extention of their permission for the deployment of the forces in Turkey, AG] and the helicopters of Poised Hammer to continue to be deployed in our land carrying logistics and food to the separatist bandits [meaning the PKK, AG] in the mountains.

Did we forget that you eliminated our generals who tried to prevent that, by assassination, and presented it as an accident? [a

reference to Turkish General Esref Bitlis killed in a military plane accident near Ankara, AG]

[Did we forget] that you attacked the most special ship of our navy, Muavenet, in one of the military exercise practices as a requirement of our alliance and friendship, probably to intimidate [us] and declared it happened by accident.

[Did we forget] that you started the anarchy which dragged our country into chaos, at your universities in 1968-1969 and then

exported it to our country and France via your agent-provocateurs and immediately after that, you ended it in your country but, continued to make our country suffer and destabilized by that anarchy for years and kept feeding it under the table.

[Did we forget] that the ones you made scream "freedom

to the people" turned out to be the starting point for the "separatist terrorism" in the following years.

[Did we forget] what you have done to make brothers kill brothers? Are those forgettable Uncle Sam? We will not forget those even if we die. We will keep remembering them even in our graves. Maybe by chance we live together in the other world [meaning after we die, AG].

We will ask for an account for all these, there too. We will ask

for an account one day.

Submitted by: SilanDate: March 14, 2005

This is a fantastic website i just want to thank you for designing this site and the people who contributed pictures it is just one more piece of the missing kurdistan

Submitted by: KaramDate: March 11, 2005

All what I want to say is that we are all muslims..of the same faith as Muhamed "sallah ALllah Aliah we Salem", no matter what we are, Kurds,Turks, Arabs or even European or Asian.

We all believe in Allah the most merciful, and we have lived with each other in harmony since the apearance of Islam and there wasn't any difference between anybody, until the Crusaders and haters of Islam of Europe introduced the Idea of Nationalism which was just a big lie and poison they gave to the Islamic world just to break us apart, they told the Arabs to hate turks and told kurds to hate Arabs and so on, until they took over the Holy city of Jerusalem and Gave it to the Zionists of Israel, and left us fighting with each other like Animals of the Jungle.

Marwan Khalil, Cairo, Egypt

Submitted by: Marwan KhalilDate: March 10, 2005

Subject: IN THE SHADOW OF HISTORY

Kurdiatan in The Shadow of History is a masterpiece

which reaffirms the existance of Kurdish people, based

on authentic and objective documents.

From time to time I read comments here which neither

are able to negate the reality,nor show any openness

for understanding.

Look at the status of Kurdish language. Now it is one of

the official languages of Iraq.So if a language has a legal

status in your vicinity, try to amend your constitution and

adjust it to the reality.

This is a humble message to decision makers in Turkey.With a position otherwise how on earth you give you the right to speak about the security and well-being of a tiny minority in Southern Kurdistan, I mean the Turkomans which the kurdish masses have protected them in the long history of their co/existance in some areas of Southern Kurdistan that they have their dwellings.

i think this is a great thing that kurdish people are doing.... in this country its all about education...

no education, no money

Submitted by: NeccoE-mail: gtd_k5@yahoo.comDate: February 24, 2005

Subject: map

do you think that what you do is fair by showing a false map which covers the eastern and south-eastern parts of Turkey???

Date: February 23, 2005

Delighted to see about this amazing book on the Internet. I have purchased two of Kurdistan: In the Shadow of History -- one for me and one as a gift.

I am of Greek descent. Although the Kurds helped the Turks exterminate the Greeks, Armenians and Assyrians, at least they apologized.

As a photographer, I find Susan Meiselas's photographs powerful. There was one of a father who wanted to be photographed with the remains of his murdered son at his feet, because he never had a picture of his son. I can think of nothing more poignant. The power of language and the power of photographs, something we take for granted.

And yet, can be denied by certain goverments.

Submitted by: Sofia S. KostosDate: February 22, 2005

I'd like to join your mailing list. My son-in-law is a survivor of Saddam's gassings in the 1980's (see http://trishymouse.net/circles.html)

There was a donkey in the middle of the road in istanbul. The donkey wouldn't get up for anybody, he just lied down blocking traffic.

So a turkish man goes up the donkey and tries to move him, tries to kick him, and tries to pull him, but to no luck the donkey still won't move.

Another turkish man comes up to the donkey, pours water on his head, tickles its nose, gives it food, and still nothing, the donkey just won't move!.

So finally the kurd takes tries to move the donkey. He goes up the donkey and whispers something in its ear. The donkey gets up and walks away.

All the villagers were so shocked that the donkey finally moved. They asked him how he did it. He told the villagers that he would take the donkeys place!.

Submitted by: EddieDate: January 29, 2005

Subject: kurdish peopl living in brita

There are many kurdish people that live here in britain.They are trying very hard to adjust to a new country but to me i think it's very difficult especially that as britain is a nice but crazy country.